i2 4 HUXLEY MEMORIAL LECTURES 



a sheet of paper and set forth clearly in separate 

 phrases, placed side by side, what in his mind 

 was given in a state of mutual interpenetration. 

 Thus first does matter separate that which was 

 blended, and distinguish what was confused. 

 But moreover, and above all, matter is what pro- 

 vokes effort and renders it possible. The thought 

 which is only thought, the work of art which is 

 only in the conceptual state, the poem which is 

 only a dream, costs as yet no effort : what re- 

 quires an effort is the material realisation of the 

 poem in words, of the artistic conception in a 

 statue or a picture. This effort is painful, it may 

 be very painful ; and yet, whilst making it, we 

 feel that it is as precious as, and perhaps more 

 precious than, the work it results in, because, 

 thanks to it, we have drawn from ourselves not 

 only all that was there, but more than was there : 

 we have raised ourselves above ourselves. 



Now, this effort would not have been put forth 

 without matter, which, by the unique nature of the 

 resistance it opposes and the unique nature of the 

 docility to which it can be brought, plays at one 

 and the same time the role of obstacle and 

 stimulus, causes us to feel our force and also to 

 succeed in intensifying it. 



Philosophers who have speculated on the 

 significance of life and the destiny of man have 

 not sufficiently remarked that Nature has taken 

 pains to give us notice every time this destiny is 

 accomplished; she has set up a sign which 



